CREATIVITY IS ELUSIVE! pt 1
but we can forge it through our everyday choices.
I love talking about creativity and where inspiration actually comes from. Reading about other artists’ schedules, routines, and habits is one of my favorite rabbit holes.
Some of my favorite tidbits are Andy Warhol’s daily 9 am conversations with the same friend to go over the previous day’s activities; Joan Didion’s accounts of “sitting there” most of the day, putting thoughts together, only to write a paragraph or so later in the evening; and Joan Miro’s antidote to depression of rigorous exercise starting at 6 am, followed by studio time, followed by a nap.
I used to think that creativity was something you were just born with or without, and for a long time, I knew I had it in there somewhere, but I thought it was maybe buried too deep to access beneath the tedium of daily life. Over time (and several false starts with The Artist’s Way), I learned that we all possess a bounty of creativity, but we must learn how to harness it so it’s available like a reliable tool chest we can reach whenever we need it.
SOME WAYS I KEEP CREATIVITY CLOSE TO THE SURFACE
Tools of the trade
I use A LOT of different types of art products. I just love going to the art store and testing out new things. I do not consider any money spent on art products a waste, even if the items sit in a drawer for years. I’m not saying these things aren’t often pricey, but I think having the right tool at the right moment is PRICELESS. Sometimes I’m sitting around and get the urge to do a lino cut print for the first time in years. Lucky for me, I have all the things necessary to do this in a drawer, waiting for me, never touched before now. Every day feels like Christmas when you have the right tools at your disposal!
Here are some of the products I keep on me at all times. My sketchbook is where it all starts for me, and I keep a little kit of my book and some art supplies with me almost all the time.
I like having an ink, a creamy crayon, a nice, sharp pencil, and a good book to draw in. I keep these items in my purse in some kind of rotating fashion all the time, but I love adding in other tools as I collect them. These are the best basics that are easy to travel with.
Having art products you love to use is personal - it’s fun to figure out the things you love and the things you don’t - and incredibly helpful for keeping creativity flowing. If I have to hunt for something to draw with when inspiration strikes, my ADD will take over before I find the crayon I’m looking for, and suddenly I’m doing the dishes or teaching my dog a trick, and the idea is gone.
I need things to be HANDY, FUN TO USE, and EFFECTIVE!
No dried-out pens, pencils that constantly break, or paper that sucks to draw on. You need the right tools for the job.
Clothes that Inspire and Comfort
I’ve always loved clothes and beautiful things. I love to play around in my closet, and putting on a new outfit (or a new one for the day) is one of my favorite ways to shift my mood. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m cranky and out of ideas because my pants feel too tight at the waist, or the color of my top clashes with my shoes, or my socks aren’t the right height on my ankle.
It’s important for me that my clothes are comfortable, not too precious (I can throw them in the wash when I inevitably get paint on them), and feel good to work in, but also to go out for dinner in without needing to go home and change. I like to wear and rewear the same things a lot, so here are some of my repeat pieces.
White pants with:
top left: with white eyelet tank and tory burch sandals
top right: with vintage blazer and white button down
bottom left: with vintage tee and my beloved camper sandals in burgundy leather
bottom right: with intimissi top and alex mill painter jacket (a bit on the nose here, i know) as well as another pair of tory’s
I also live for a funky pant.
These Loeffler Randall zebra prints are worn frequently!!
I own this Nikki Chasin sweater in three colors, and I wear them every day when it’s chilly. (Also, I swear this post is not sponsored by Nikki Chasin. I just love her clothes.)
I wear a button-down most days and am super particular about them. I probably own 30 button-downs (many are vintage men's), but have a couple of new ones I wear the most.
My new favorite is the Ava from T.Line (beautiful local Toronto brand)!
and this one from Cos.
These are the clothes that came to mind because they’re functional, feel really good on my body, and have been worn dozens, maybe hundreds of times, and I still feel excited to put them on. I love wearing a lot of color and pattern because it inspires me to draw and paint in that vein, and I love to wear nice fabrics that age well. I think it’s really important to feel comfortable in our own skin to get into a creative mindset! It’s hard to create when we are itchy, or constricted, or feeling yucky in any way!
THANK YOU for reading part one! These are some of the things I reach for on a daily basis.
Next time, I’m going to get into household items that make me smile, books that get the gears turning, jewelry I wear daily, movies I leave on in the background, and probably more clothing I love to work in.
What objects make you feel the most creative?
Thanks for reading!
xx,
Maxine
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I love that term keep inspiration close to the surface!!